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IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

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Home Blog Page 4825

Iran Navy repels pirate attacks on vessel in Gulf of Aden

June 19, 2015

The Iranian Navy has successfully thwarted two pirate attacks on an Iranian merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

Iran’s naval forces, which escort the country’s merchant vessels and oil tankers in the high seas, first rushed to the help of the ship when pirates on board five speed boats were trying to hijack it, forcing the pirates to flee.

The pirates returned three hours later with 11 boats this time, but their attack was once again repelled by Iranian naval forces.

Iran’s Navy has, in recent years, increased its presence in international waters in a bid to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

Since November 2008, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden in line with international efforts against piracy to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

In April, the Iranian Navy’s 34th naval fleet comprising the Bushehr logistic vessel and Alborz destroyer left the southern port city of Bandar Abbas for the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab Strait to carry out missions in the high seas.

Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several pirate attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.

A bird’s eye view of Tehran: US volleyball team visits Milad Tower

Emad Askarieh

June 19, 2015

The US national volleyball team visited different parts of Tehran’s Milad Power on Wednesday (June 17), describing it as one of the key tourist attractions of the Iranian capital which can draw many foreign travelers.

The Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) published a report on June 18 on the US team’s tour of the Tower two days ahead of its first game in the second round of the FIVB Volleyball World League against Iran on Friday night at Tehran’s Azadi Arena. The following is the translation of what members of the US team had to say about the tower and their upcoming match against Iran:

CEO of USA Volleyball Federation Doug Beal said the American people’s knowledge about Iran is limited, adding Iran is home to multiple attractive and must-see places and a large number of tourists travel to Iran to visit its attractions.

As for the Milad Tower tour, he said, “I have visited many towers, including the giant tower in Dubai, but Milad Tower was different, and the US volleyball team found it attractive.”

Beal also said the US team will certainly try to introduce the attractions of the Iranian capital, including Milad Tower, [to the Americans] when it returns home.

He then touched on the game between the US and Iran on Friday and said that we know that a large crowd will turn up to cheer the Iranian side. We hope to play a good game, he added.

Taylor Sander, a member of the US squad, said, “I knew nothing about Milad Tower prior to my trip to Iran. Never could I believe that Iran has the world’s sixth tallest telecoms tower. I’m happy that visiting this attractive tower has been part of the itinerary of our team.”

He further said that he found Milad Tower very attractive. “People in the US are very much interested in towering buildings. Today we could watch Tehran, which is one of the biggest cities in the world, from atop Milad Tower.

Sander also praised the hospitality of the Iranians as yet another attractive part of the trip.

Milad Tower is different for mixing art and architecture

Captain of the US team David Lee, for his part, said Tehran is the city of beauties, adding that Milad Tower is a different tower thanks to the way art and architecture has been mixed in this high-rise, and that it [mix of art and architecture] has added to its attractiveness.

Tehran is one of the cities which has grown rapidly and can turn into a tourist destination for foreign travelers, he said, adding construction of Milad Tower – which is a good example of Tehran’s progress – can create good memories for the tourists.

The US captain then referred to the showdown between his team and Iran and said that the two rival teams are powerful, adding we will definitely see the two teams display a very exciting match on Friday.

At the end of their tour of the massive tower, members of Team USA symbolically signed a volleyball and offered it as a gift to Milad Tower.

[Iran was overpowered by the US in their first and second away matches at 2015 FIVB Volleyball World League with the same 3-1 losses. The Asian champions were also defeated by Poland in their third and fourth matches in the competition, but succeed in earning one point from the European side.

The Iranian squad will line up against the USA on Friday for its first home match. The US has scored 17 points from the first round of the FIVB Volleyball World League is on top of Pool B of the competitions.

A dominant force in Asian volleyball, Iran has become a new powerhouse at the global level, with the FIVB ranking Iran 10th in the latest world standings in September 2014.]

Iran condemns terrorist attacks in Yemeni capital

Emad Askarieh

June 19, 2015

Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned recent deadly bombings in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, which have killed dozens, saying the Arab country’s oppressed people are targeted by internal terrorism and a foreign military aggression.

In a statement on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham decried several bombing attacks that targeted the political bureau of the Houthi Ansarullah movement as well as three mosques in Sana’a a day earlier.

According to media reports, at least 31 people were killed and dozens more were injured in the terrorist attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group.

Afkham also offered her condolences to the families of victims of the “inhumane” attacks, saying the “oppressed” people are currently fighting in two fronts, which are internal terrorism and the Saudi-led military aggression.

“We hope that we will witness the establishment of a ceasefire (in Yemen) soon and an immediate halt to bombardments,” she said.

Afkham further asked the international bodies to focus on the “continuous and smooth delivery of humanitarian aid to the fasting Yemeni people during the holy month of Ramadan.”

On March 26, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies began to launch deadly air strikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in an attempt to restore power to the fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh.

According to Yemen’s Health Ministry, the airstrikes have killed more than 2,300 people, including 229 women and 411 children. More than 8,000 others have been also injured in the attacks, including 581 women and 766 children.

Saudi-led aerial strikes have targeted 61 hospitals and 13 ambulances.

Yemen factions agree on ceasefire during Ramadan: UN

Emad Askarieh

June 18, 2015

Yemeni political factions have agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire during the holy fasting month of Ramadan as consultations continue in Geneva for the settlement of the crisis in the Arab country, a UN spokesman says.

“The parties of the Yemeni interlocutors with the United Nations agreed to declare a humanitarian truce with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan,” Ahmad Fawzi said in a statement on Thursday, Sputnik news agency reported.

He added that the ceasefire is expected to be officially announced in the “coming hours.”

“The terrible and catastrophic crisis in Yemen requires the attention for 21

million people who are now in need of humanitarian assistance,” Fawzi said.

UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon had earlier asked for a month-long humanitarian truce. In his address to the opening of Geneva negotiations on Monday, Ban said Ramadan could be a time for “reflection, harmony and reconciliation” in Yemen.

The UN-backed peace talks are expected to continue until Saturday. Yemeni political factions, including representatives of the Ansraullah Houthi movement and members of the ousted government of the Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi are attending the talks.

The fugitive president is currently in Saudi Arabia, where he has been supporting the kingdom’s three-month-long aggression against Yemen.

Riyadh started its military campaign against the Arabian Peninsula nation on March 26 – without a UN mandate – in an attempt to weaken the Houthi Ansarullah movement and bring Hadi back to power.

The United Nations says at least 2,600 people have been killed and 11,000 others wounded due to the conflict in Yemen since March 19.

UN Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville said on June 16 that at least 1,412 civilians, including 210 women, have been killed and a further 3,423 injured since March 26.

Iran criticizes Bahraini opposition leader jail sentence

Emad Askarieh

June 18, 2015

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham criticized a recent court ruling against prominent Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, reaffirming Iran’s demand for his release.

It is seriously expected that the groups which have presented their demands in a completely peaceful manner be treated fairly, rationally and appropriately, Afkham said on Tuesday.

She added that resorting to security approaches would never help settle the ongoing problems in the Persian Gulf country.

“Engaging in dialogue and paying heed to the demands of moderate figures and groups will definitely guarantee security and peace” in Bahrain, the Iranian spokesperson stated.

Earlier in the day, a court in Bahrain sentenced Sheikh Salman, the head of the country’s main opposition bloc, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, to four years in prison after convicting him on charges including collusion with foreign governments and instigating unrest. He was acquitted on seeking regime change charges.

Abdullah al-Shamlawi, Salman’s defense lawyer, said he can appeal the verdict.

Al-Wefaq dismissed the verdict against Salman, adding that the ruling is devoid of any legal merit.

Salman was detained on December 28, 2014 on charges of “attempting to overthrow the incumbent regime and collaboration with foreign powers.” The 49-year-old cleric has strongly denied the charges, emphasizing that he has been seeking reforms in the kingdom through peaceful means.

In a statement released on Monday, Amnesty International called on Bahraini authorities to release the prominent Shiite cleric “immediately and unconditionally.”

Amnesty also described Salman as “a prisoner of conscience detained solely for peacefully expressing his views.”

Point of no return: Nuclear deal has become more achievable

Emad Askarieh

June 18, 2015

Iran and P5+1, especially the United States, have reached a point where they have no other option but to ink a nuclear deal, says an expert in international affairs.

Ali Bigdeli, who is also a university lecturer, made the comment in an interview with fararu.ir on June 17 and added that the two sides are now preparing the ground for striking such a deal. He also said the preparation will make the [comprehensive] nuclear deal more achievable than before if the US tones down its stances.

The following is the translation of part of Bigdeli’s remarks in the interview which came after comments on Tuesday (June 16) by US Secretary of State John Kerry in a news conference:

There were new points in Mr. Kerry’s news briefing and in the answers he provided to questions [among them loyalty to the framework agreement in Lausanne on April 2, 2015]. [His] stress on such points has raised hopes of striking a comprehensive nuclear deal by the deadline.

The new, still important, part of Mr. Kerry’s words is where he says the [continuation of] talks [which is to draw on the Joint Plan of Action the two sides inked in the Geneva-I agreement] will no longer focus on the history of Iran’s nuclear program or the Possible Military Dimensions (PMD).

The settlement of questions on Iran’s past nuclear activities or PMD has turned into one of the main challenges to the talks between Iran and P5+1 ever since the two sides inked the Lausanne agreement in April.

[…]

To reach an agreement is not a decision to be made simply by the Americans. Basically, the world has got sick and tired of Iran’s nuclear talks. This is a fact which has been repeatedly echoed in stances adopted by world officials, including those in Germany and Russia.

That’s why other members of P5+1 have, in turn, asked for an end to Iran’s nuclear talks and conclusion of a nuclear agreement whose preparations seem to have been made. Now a [final] deal looks more achievable than before.

[Secretary Kerry said Tuesday that a full accounting of Iran’s PMD issue is not necessarily critical to reaching a nuclear deal with Tehran. He said the US and its negotiating partners are “not fixated” on the issue of so-called “possible military dimensions” because they already have a complete picture of Iran’s past activities. He said they are more concerned that those activities have stopped and about what Iran might do in the future, according to The Iran Project.]

Ireland keen for final Iran nuclear deal: Parliament Speaker

Emad Askarieh

June 18, 2015

Irish officials are very eager to see the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program result in a final deal in order to forge broader economic cooperation with Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said after a visit to the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking to IRIB on Thursday upon his arrival in Tehran after a 3-day trip to Dublin, Larijani said the Irish authorities are keen to see the successful conclusion of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

“After a meeting with the speaker of the Irish parliament, he said explicitly he has become confident that Iran is moving on the path of peaceful nuclear technology,” Larijani said.

While Iran and the six powers are negotiating to strike a lasting deal to settle more than a decade of impasse over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program, many countries are impatient to broaden economic ties with Iran following the removal of anti-Iran sanctions under the long-awaited nuclear accord.

Larijani also said that the Irish officials are willing to cooperate with Iran in counter-terrorism, particularly given concerns raised after European citizens joined terrorist groups in the Middle East.

“The Irish officials acknowledged that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the most important and influential country with sustained security in the region, and believed that they should have close cooperation with Iran to be able to bring about security for the other countries,” Larijani added.

The Iranian speaker further noted that he held meetings with 10 ranking Irish officials during his 3-day stay in Dublin.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on June 18

Emad Askarieh

June 18, 2015

Remarks by the Supreme Leader in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on the country’s efforts to take on terrorists and the need for unity between Shiites and Sunnis as well as comments by President Hassan Rouhani on Iran’s determination to help Iraq in its fight against ISIL dominated the front pages of most Iranian dailies on Thursday. The reformist dailies also highlighted moves by hardliners to disrupt a funeral procession which was held Tuesday for Iranian servicemen who were killed during the Iran-Iraq war.

Ettela’at: “Iraq’s resistance against terrorists ensures regional security,” said the Supreme Leader in a meeting with the visiting Iraqi prime minister.

Ettela’at: “Security should come with dignity and honor,” said Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi.

Ettela’at: Senior Iranian nuclear negotiator Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has said that sanctions against Tehran will be removed the day the nuclear deal goes into effect.

Ettela’at: The Iranian president has said that ties between Tehran and Baghdad are strategic.

President Rouhani made the remark in a meeting with the Iraqi premier.

Ettela’at: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow will give a painful response to border threats from NATO.

Ettela’at: Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has thanked the Iranian people for their massive participation in the funeral of the Sacred Defense martyrs.

Afarinesh: “Iran stands by Iraq in its fight against ISIL terrorists”.

President Rouhani made the remark in a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister in Tehran.

Aftab-e Yazd: “Iran registered three percent growth last year [ending March 20, 2015],” said the economy minister.

Arman-e Emrooz: Insult from public tribune to [President] Rouhani and [Parliament Speaker Ali] Larijani

Reactions pour in to the politically motivated move by the so-called Worriers in a national gathering [attended by people from all walks of life].

The daily takes a look at efforts by the Worriers [the supporters of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and critical opponents of the Rouhani administration] to hurl insults at the heads of the executive and legislative branches at a national funeral procession for the martyred Iranian soldiers.

Asrar: “The [lofty] ideal of the martyrs belong to all Iranians,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Asrar: The interior minister has said that [organizers of] unauthorized gatherings will be seriously dealt with.

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli made the remark in reaction to reports that a group of people have planned to stage a gathering outside the Ministry of Sports and Youth [to protest a possible plan which would allow women to enter stadiums and watch sporting events], adding that the police have been given the order to deal with illegal assemblies.

[The question of women’s presence in sporting arenas has stirred controversy in Iran after the International Volleyball Federation tied Iran’s hosting of the FIVB World League Finals to its permission for women’s presence in sporting events.]

Ebtekar: Warning by the families of the martyrs to disrupters of the funeral procession [of Iranian divers]

In a letter, family members of 110 martyrs condemned the unethical behavior of some individuals who disrupted the funeral service of 270 Iranian servicemen –including 170 divers – who were martyred in the Iran-Iraq war back in the 1980s.

Etemad: The governor of the Central Bank of Iran has said that a single foreign exchange rate system will be introduced [in Iran] in the near future.

Farhikhtegan: The martyrs are national.

Reactions by Cabinet members and other officials to efforts by some to score political points from the funeral of 270 soldiers who fell martyr during the Sacred Defense.

Government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht: Those who are behind such moves are acting against the country’s national interests, no matter what their motives are.

Iran: “The unity between Shiites and Sunnis should not be dented,” said the Supreme Leader in a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister.

Jomhouri Islami: The US withdrawal from its claims of military activities in Iran

The eighth round of nuclear talks – the longest – between Iran and P5+1 has opened with the two sides working toward drafting the comprehensive deal.

Kayhan: The Iranian MPs have overwhelmingly agreed to prioritize a motion which obliges the government to maintain the country’s nuclear achievements.

Nasl-e Farda: The health minister has said that [reports on] shortages of medicine are aimed to poison the atmosphere.

Resalat: “Early campaigning for [parliamentary] elections runs counter to law,” said the interior minister.

Sharq: Members of Ansar Hezbollah, a hard-line group, have staged a gathering [outside the Ministry of Sports and Youth] to protest women’s likely presence in stadiums.

Leader message set up anti-extremism discourse: Zarif

Emad Askarieh

June 18, 2015

The Iranian foreign minister has referred to a January message by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to European and North American youths as an exemplary endeavor to fighting extremism.

In a contribution to Harvard International Review, published by the journal on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif enumerated the requisite qualities of a consistent and coherent strategy to confront “violent extremism.”

The piece asserted that winning such strategy entailed that religious leaders from around the world “be at the forefront of efforts to denounce the false precepts of violent extremism and unequivocally reject sectarianism and attacks against religious and ethnic minorities.”

“In this context, the recent message of Ayatollah Khamenei to European and North American Youth is a serious endeavor to initiate such enlightened cultural and ideological discourse,” Zarif opined.

In the message, Ayatollah Khamenei called on younger generations to study the motivations behind the widespread efforts aimed at the vilification of Islam.

The Leader also stressed the importance of reading the Holy Koran and the life of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Ayatollah Khamenei used the message to call on the youths not to “miss the opportunity to gain proper, correct and unbiased understanding of Islam so that hopefully, due to your sense of responsibility toward the truth, future generations would write the history of this current interaction between Islam and the West with a clearer conscience and lesser resentment.”

Zarif also referred to the critical nature of the challenge posed to the world from violent extremism, bemoaning the exponential growth of extremism owing to the chaos created in the aftermath of the United States 2001 and 2003 invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan respectively.

“Today, no one can deny that extremists and terrorists are much stronger and operating in more places in the Middle East than their demagogic leaders could ever imagine or wish in 2001,” he said, and also noted, “There is consensus that violent extremists benefited from the chaos created in post-2003 Iraq.”

Iran’s Rouhani pledges continued support for Iraq in fighting terror

Emad Askarieh

June 17, 2015

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic will continue supporting Iraq in its fight against terrorism, noting that the country’s security is intertwined with that of Iran.

“The main responsibility for combating terrorism and finally defeating it falls undoubtedly on the shoulders of the Iraqi nation and army,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Wednesday.

“Nevertheless, the people and government of Iran have been and will continue to be beside the government and nation of Iraq,” the Iranian president emphasized.

Stability, security, and peace in Iraq and Iran’s other neighbors can help progress and development in the region, the Iranian president added.

Referring to attempts by some countries to sow discord among Iraqi people to achieve their short-term interests, he said Iraq should make an all-out effort to strengthen national unity to counter the enemies’ plans.

Abadi, for his part, hailed the Islamic Republic’s friendly support for Iraq in its anti-terror efforts and said the continuation of Tehran’s assistance to Baghdad will eventuate in the eradication of the ISIL terrorist group both in Iraq and the Middle East.

The Iraqi premier also called for the expansion of trade and cultural ties with Iran.

The Iraqi premier also met with Iranian First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri on Wednesday. Jahangiri, too, expressed Iran’s strong support for peace, stability, and development in Iraq.

During his meeting with Jahangiri, Abadi said that Tehran and Baghdad must create a “united front for battling terrorism.”

Acts of violence by ISIL have plagued Iraq since the terrorist group seized some parts of the Arab country in June 2014.

The Iraqi army, joined by volunteer fighters, has engaged in various military operations to flush the ISIL terrorists out of the areas they have under control, and has so far made some advances, including liberating the strategic city of Tikrit in the north.